INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION

In his book: Evolution of Science and Technology in Nigeria:  The Experience of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Professor T T Isoun, former Vice-Chancellor of the University stated the obvious when he asserted that “credible and reputable Universities or Institutions of higher learning must evolve threads of international academic linkages and communications.  But a new University must balance, delicately, the pressure for international innovation and autonomy”.

UNESCO

  The Rivers State University of Science and Technology naturally benefited from existing cooperative academic and technical arrangements between the defunct College of Science and Technology (CST) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The programme from UNESCO was to help in the “Expansion of the College of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt”.  It was initially to focus on Engineering Technology, Agricultural Education, Engineering Education, and Technical Education, as well as the provision of eight UNESCO fellowships.

  According to Professor Isoun’s work, the CST sought assistance to strengthen these areas already enumerated through curricular revision, staff training, student technological training and academic infrastructure development for teaching, research and administration.  Upon request, three UNESCO advisers are to be attached to the School of Engineering, Business Studies, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

  However, this arrangement could not fit properly into the programme of the University.  It was therefore agreed after due consultations with the appropriate organs that:

 (i)         the original project documents should be redesigned to reflect the change in status from the CST;

(ii)        the redesigning of the project document may require additional UNESCO/UNDP inputs which will need the approval of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

(iii)       the possibility should be explored of establishing a Fund-in-Trust agreement for equipment and staff.

(iv)       the terms of reference for the use of UNESCO experts be reviewed.

  Accordingly, the revised long-range objective of the project is “to lay foundations for the production of more and professionally better trained University graduates of Diploma and Degree levels by activating national potential and mobilising other national resources through combined practically integrated and academically oriented education in the fields of Science and Technology”.

 The UNESCO project was in operation throughout the first four years of the University.  Dr N Ethirveerasingam, Specialist in Agricultural Education and Officer-In-Charge of the UNESCO project in his final report described it as a success.

 The African Regional Agriculture Centre (ARAC)

  ARAC was established in Aluu near Port Harcourt in 1980, with the active financial support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.  In early 1981, the University upon request from ARAC entered into academic linkage arrangement whereby the University would oversee and supervise, in collaboration with ARAC, resident staff and consultants the Masters degree Programme of the Aquaculture Centre.  Other areas include joint research seminars and provision of service to the community.

 Other International Organisations and Fellowships

  The Rivers State University of Science and Technology is an active member and subscribes to the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the Association of African Universities.

 As a young University, staff members have benefited from international fellowship awards from Fulbright, Commonwealth and Nuffield Foundation to improve teaching and research capabilities.

 Current Academic Linkages and Affiliation Arrangements

  In 1981, the University signed an academic cooperation agreement with the Gdansk Technical University in Poland.  This cooperation was to expand teaching, professional training and research activities, particularly in the Faculties of Engineering and Science of the University.

An academic cooperation agreement was initiated in 1982, in principle between the University of the Philippines in the Visayas and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, to develop and expand research, teaching and consultancy services in fisheries and rice projects in the Faculties of Agriculture.

This University in 1982 negotiated an academic understanding with the University of Brazil for the development and expansion of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Architecture, Town Planning, Quantity Surveying, Estate Management and Land Surveying.

Currently, the Rivers State University has affiliation arrangements with the following institutions:

 (i)                  International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi, Kenya – for postgraduate training and research, for our staff and students.

(ii)                Rivers State College of Arts and Science – for the Matriculation Examination Programme (MEP), which qualifies successful candidates for entry into our Pure Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences programmes.

 We also have linkage arrangements with the following institutions:

(i)                  Delft Institute of Technology in the Netherlands – for staff exchange, staff training, collaborative research and consultancy activities.

(ii)                International Centre for Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Trieste in Italy.  We have confederation agreement with the Centre, which enables our members of staff to spend about three months at the Centre annually to undertake research and participate in seminars.

 We are currently about concluding linkage arrangements with the following institutions:

(i)                  University of Florence, Italy.  This will lead to staff and postgraduate students exchange in Tropical Agriculture with particular interest in Forestry.  The staff and students of the University visited this University in November 1992 to explore the possibility for this linkage arrangement.

(ii)                University of Science and Technology Kumasi, Ghana.  The Vice-Chancellor of that University will be visiting our University soon so as to conclude the necessary linkage talks.  The linkage arrangement will cover mainly exchange of staff on short-term basis in all fields of Engineering, except Marine Engineering.

(iii)               University of Cape Coast, Ghana.  The linkage arrangement is for staff exchange in Technical and Science Education.

AFFILIATION/MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH OTHER UNIVERSITY AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

(a) Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
The Rivers State University of Science and Technology since the year 2000 signed a memorandum of understanding with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. This understanding is based on co-operation in the realm of post-secondary Technical Education and Vocational training to increase capabilities of RSUST. It is also to strengthen the Educational infrastructure and operations within the University in order that they can provide for increased need for individuals with necessary technical skills that will be suitable to employment within the energy industry.

(b) University of Calgary, Canada
The memorandum of understanding between Rivers State University of Science and Technology and University of Calgary, Canada was entered into in October 2000. Areas of co-operation include the following:
1. The development of collaborative research projects.
2. The organization of Joint Academic and scientific activities, such as courses, conferences, seminars, symposia or lectures.
3. Exchange of research and teaching personal.
4. Exchange of students
5. Exchange of publication and other materials of common interest.

(c) HIPACT, UK
HIPACT is an association of British Universities committed to widening participation in higher Education, the Rivers State government on behalf of RSUST entered into agreement with her in year 2000. Hipact acts as an intermediary to negotiate cost-effective opportunities between Universities and government. Through this programme, Hipact helps to build a \strong relationship between the government and British Universities.

This year, 40 staff of this university has been given approval to pursue various programmes in British universities which is expected to commence in September this year.

(d) Citizens International Boston, Massachusetts USA.
The aim of this relationship is to build capacity within Rivers State in the areas of Agricultural production and processing of information Technology. Cassava formed an initial area of Focus, along with palm oil production, processing and marketing.

Under this arrangement, the RSUST is also to assist in the collection of baseline data to be used in project evaluation in Rivers State and elsewhere in the Niger Delta.

(e) Uniqueness of the Rivers State University of Science and technology
The uniqueness of the RSUST could be seen in the following areas:
1. It is the first Technological University in Nigeria and the first to be situated within the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
2. The only university in Nigeria that offers degree programmes in Marine ` Engineering and Secretarial Administration.
3. The only University that has institutes that undertake Space Technology and Environmental studies and Jobs on Consultancy for government and non- government organization.
4. The only University in Nigeria with an institute of pollution studies.
5. The only University with a center for Niger Delta studies.
6. The first and only state owned university to offer campus accommodation to staff.
Population
The University has staff strength of 3,000 and a student population of 17,000

(f) Endowed Professorial Chairs
The University has the following endowed professorial chairs.
1. Michelin - Professor of Mechanical Engineering
2. DFFRI - Professor of Science and Technology for rural Development.
3. Shell - Professor of Environmental Pollution studies
4. Niger dock - Professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
5. Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) - Professor of Petroleum Engineering
6. Chief Ebitimi Banigo - Professor of Banking & Finance
7. African Continental Bank - Professor of Accountancy
8. rivers State Government - Adolphos Karibi-Whyte
Professor of Law

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Last modified: 09/28/04